VACHERIE — The St. James Parish Relay for Life Leadership Team, under the direction of Brandi Louque, Event Lead, recently hosted its annual Celebrity Waiter Event at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie.

The event brought in representatives from parish government, industries and businesses throughout the parish for an entertaining evening that helped raise more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Well-known parishioners were asked to stand-in as “celebrity” waiters, dishing out drinks and a four-course meal in hopes of earning “tips” for the local Relay for Life. Several organizations also sponsored tables for the event.

Waiters and sponsors included: Nucor (Les Hart), Mosaic (Ty Schmidt & Matt Duhe), LSR (Jeannie Becnel & Maci Genova), Noranda (Lezlie Jones), Hotard Coaches (Callen Hotard) and Pete Dufresne.

Organizers said the heartwarming generosity of community members, sponsors and “celebrities” brought in record numbers.

Callen Hotard, CEO of Hotard Coaches, took home the award for the table with the highest earnings.

The Leadership Team thanks Oak Alley Planation for the beautiful venue and for helping facilitate the event, Whiskey Bent for their musical entertainment and each community business or Relay team that donated silent auction items. The Leadership Team also recognizes Nucor’s Lauren Bourgeois, Survivor Lead, for organizing the event.

This year’s Relay — Hope Fest — will be held April 1 at Lutcher Park and includes a 5K, Cabbage Ball Tournament and Cook-Off (sampler platters for sale). For more information, visit relayforlife.org and search for the “Lutcher” event or “like” the Relay for Life of St. James Facebook Page.